Distribution of TV Revenues in Turkey's Süper Lig 2026/27

Distribution of TV Revenues in Turkey's Süper Lig 2026/27

The Süper Lig will implement a new distribution model for its media revenues in the 2026/27 season, focusing on equitable sharing among clubs. The revised framework allocates 48% of the total revenue as a base amount distributed evenly among all teams, 46% based on performance (wins and draws), and 6% tied to the final standings of the top six teams.

A significant change to note is the abolition of the Şampiyonlar Payı, an 11% share historically awarded to the six clubs with the most championship titles. This decision, made by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) on March 11, 2026, was justified as a move towards enhancing equality among clubs. The funds previously allocated to this share will now be incorporated into the evenly distributed base amount.

The current rights holder for broadcasting remains beIN Sports (Digitürk / Krea İçerik Hizmetleri), with the 2026/27 season marking the final year of a three-year cycle that commenced in 2024, valued at $182 million net per season (approximately $218.4 million gross).

In the 2025/26 season, Süper Lig clubs collectively received around 6.4 billion TL (about €125 million), which represents approximately one-ninth of the revenues generated by the national Bundesliga.

An analysis of the financial implications reveals that Anatolian clubs are set to benefit structurally from the new model, with an expected increase of about 39 million TL per club. Conversely, traditional Istanbuli clubs, such as Galatasaray, are projected to incur significant losses, with Galatasaray potentially losing around 220 million TL.

Clarification on Turkish League Terminology

For those unfamiliar with Turkish football, it is essential to note that the top tier is known as the Süper Lig (sponsored as Trendyol Süper Lig) since 2001. The TFF 1. Lig refers to the second division. Both leagues are marketed under the same rights package, with the distribution model discussed here applying solely to the revenues allocated to the 18 Süper Lig clubs after deductions for the federation and lower divisions.

Broadcasting Rights Cycle: beIN Sports Until 2027

The TFF's tender call in January 2024 was initially canceled on February 29, 2024, due to bids being deemed insufficient. Subsequently, on March 2, 2024, beIN Media Group (Krea İçerik Hizmetleri ve Prodüksiyon A.Ş.) submitted a revised bid and secured the contract.

| Feature | Value | |--------------------|--------------------------------| | Rights Holder | beIN Sports / Digitürk | | Contract Duration | 2024/25 – 2026/27 (3 seasons) | | Scope | Package E: all rights to Süper Lig + TFF 1. Lig | | Volume | $182.0 million net per season | | Volume incl. VAT | $218.4 million per season | | Runner-up Bidder | Saran Medya ($140 million) | | Contract End Date | June 30, 2027 |

The payment structure includes half of the amount being settled at a fixed exchange rate from the bidding date (31.30 TL/USD), with the other half adjusted annually according to the current exchange rate. This arrangement offers some protection against the depreciation of the Turkish Lira but results in significant fluctuations in TL amounts from season to season.

Distribution Model: Transitioning from Old to New

The distribution of revenues is based on a net pool: after deducting shares for the TFF (referees, federation costs, youth development) and lower leagues, the remaining funds are divided according to four pillars.

| Pillar | Until 2025/26 | From 2026/27 | Distribution Logic | |--------------------------------|----------------|---------------|----------------------------------| | Base Amount | 37% | 48% | Evenly among all 18 clubs | | Performance | 46% | 46% | Fixed amount per win; split for draws | | Historical Championships | 11% | 0% | Abolished - flows into base amount | | Top 6 Final Standings | 6% | 6% | Tiered based on placements 1–6 |

The reform initiated on March 11, 2026, eliminated the 11% share granted to historical champions (including clubs like Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş), aiming to strengthen the principle of equality. The last distribution of the Şampiyonlar Payı occurred in the 2025/26 season, amounting to approximately 718 million TL (around €14 million), shared among 69 championship titles at 10.4 million TL each.

This shift aligns Turkey with trends seen in other leagues, moving away from rewarding historical successes towards a model that emphasizes equal distribution and current sporting performance.

Projected Financial Model for 2026/27

The TFF will only release absolute figures for the season after determining the exchange rate and inflation adjustments. However, the following values are derived from the net pool of 2025/26:

Estimated Pool Size

• Base Amount: 132.2 million TL × 18 clubs = 2.379.6 million TL (37%)
• Performance: 9.66 million TL × 306 games = 2.956.0 million TL (46%)
• Şampiyonlar Payı: 718 million TL (11%)

These calculations converge around 6.43 billion TL, providing a reliable estimate.

Base Amount per Club

• Size: 2025/26 - 2026/27 (Model)
• Share of Net Pool: 37% - 48% (+11 percentage points)
• Volume of Pillar: 2.379.6 million TL - 3.087.1 million TL (+707.5 million TL)
• Per Club: 132.2 million TL - 171.5 million TL (+39.3 million TL)

This model indicates that each club will receive a guaranteed base amount of approximately 171.5 million TL in 2026/27, marking an increase of about 39 million TL from the previous season.

Value of a Win

The performance pillar remains at 46%. With 18 clubs and 306 season games, the following values apply:

• Prize per Win: 4.95 million TL (2024/25) - 9.66 million TL (2025/26) - ≥ 9.66 million TL (2026/27)
• Prize per Draw (per club): 2.475 million TL (2024/25) - 4.83 million TL (2025/26) - ≥ 4.83 million TL (2026/27)

A draw is financially valued as exactly half a win, providing a stronger offensive incentive than the points system.

Winners and Losers of the Reform

The net effect of the changes indicates a loss for traditional clubs in Istanbul, with Galatasaray, for instance, losing a substantial amount, while Anatolian clubs see a notable increase in their financial security.

| Club | Titles | Şampiyonlar Payı 2025/26 | Gain Base Amount | Net Effect | |---------------|--------|--------------------------|------------------|------------------| | Galatasaray | 25 | 260.0 million TL | +39.3 million TL | −220.7 million TL | | Fenerbahçe | 19 | 197.6 million TL | +39.3 million TL | −158.3 million TL | | Beşiktaş | 16 | 166.4 million TL | +39.3 million TL | −127.1 million TL | | Trabzonspor | 7 | 72.8 million TL | +39.3 million TL | −33.5 million TL | | Başakşehir | 1 | 10.4 million TL | +39.3 million TL | +28.9 million TL | | 13 other clubs | 0 | 0 TL | +39.3 million TL | +39.3 million TL |

This restructuring reduces the gap between the highest and lowest revenue-generating clubs, which is particularly beneficial for the Anatolian teams.

Outstanding Issue: Top-6 Distribution

The 6% allocation for final placements appears to have discrepancies when compared to figures circulating in Turkish media. The reported amounts for the 2025/26 season suggest an increase that does not align with the expected model calculations.

| Position | 2024/25 (reported) | 2025/26 (reported) | Factor | |----------|---------------------|---------------------|--------| | 1 | 71.1 million TL | 227.8 million TL | 3.20 | | 2 | 56.9 million TL | 182.5 million TL | 3.21 | | 3 | 42.6 million TL | 136.5 million TL | 3.20 | | 4 | 28.4 million TL | 91.2 million TL | 3.21 | | 5 | 14.3 million TL | 45.9 million TL | 3.21 | | 6 | 7.2 million TL | 23.3 million TL | 3.24 |

The figures for 2025/26 suggest a total of 707.2 million TL, which contradicts the expected 6% of the top pool. It appears that the reported values may have been incorrectly derived. A consistent model would suggest approximately 386 million TL for this pillar and a champion bonus of around 124 million TL.

International Context

In comparative terms, the Süper Lig's annual media revenues are significantly lower than those of major European leagues:

| League | National Media Revenues p.a. | Ratio to Süper Lig | |---------------|-------------------------------|--------------------| | Premier League| approx. €1.95 billion | 12× | | Bundesliga | approx. €1.1 billion | 6.7× | | LaLiga | approx. €0.99 billion | 6.0× | | Serie A | approx. €0.90 billion | 5.5× | | Süper Lig + 1. Lig | approx. €165 million (182 million USD) | 1× |

This disparity explains why Turkish clubs heavily focus their revenue strategies on UEFA competitions, with Galatasaray reporting over €53 million from the Champions League in the 2025/26 season, significantly outpacing the national TV share of around €16.5 million. For the top four clubs, the national distribution model is of secondary importance, while it represents the primary revenue source for Anatolian clubs.

Equality Distribution Comparison

| League | Share Evenly Distributed | |-----------------------|--------------------------| | Süper Lig (from 2026/27) | 48% | | Bundesliga (Pillar 1) | approx. 50% | | Premier League (national) | approx. 50% | | LaLiga | approx. 50% |

The Süper Lig is moving closer to the equitable distribution models seen in Western European leagues, albeit starting from a much lower absolute revenue base.

Future Outlook: The 2027 Tender

The beIN contract will conclude on June 30, 2027, and preparations for the next bidding process are already underway. Speculation in Turkish media suggests a potential joint model involving Turkcell and TRT, although nothing has been confirmed.

Three key factors will shape the next cycle:

1. Currency Risk – Clubs are likely to push for a higher dollar component, while domestic bidders may prefer contracts in Lira.
2. Streaming Unbundling – The traditional package model is becoming outdated internationally; breaking it into individual packages could enhance total revenues.
3. Competitive Intensity – The withdrawal of Saran Medya from the 2024 bidding process highlighted the thinness of the Turkish bidding market.